Food for thought

Attached you'll find a letter from Principal Steve Gough to parents and students regarding students' use of technology during the school day (link). I have to say I couldn't agree with Mr. Gough more--I am not a might use the calculator for grades, percentages, etc. But I'm working --and my phone needs to stay put.

Ricky Romero@Flickr.com

"phone taker" anymore (or, rarely so), encouraging students, instead, to use their handhelds as a tool, not a toy. I often ask students to "park" their handhelds on the corner of their desks, face down. I try to model this for my students, as well--my (beloved!) iPhone is on my desk, set to vibrate--and I don't use it for Facebook or Pinterest or any of the other ways I use it for entertainment. I do, on occasion use the calculator for grades, but I am working from 7:30-2:30, not playing. Kids will eventually do the same.